Dyspepsia in relation to peptic ulcer disease

Dyspepsia is a common condition that may cause abdominal symptoms that feel like an ulcer. Dyspepsia usually describes a group of symptoms rather than one predominant symptom. These symptoms, which also may occur with a peptic ulcer, include:

• Pain or discomfort.
• Bloating.
• Feeling uncomfortably full after eating.
• Nausea.
• Loss of appetite (anorexia).
• Heartburn.
• Burping up food or liquid (regurgitation).
• Burping.

Most people will experience some symptoms of dyspepsia within their lifetime. Most of these people do not have peptic ulcer disease, which means that they do not have sores related to their dyspepsia.

Many conditions can cause dyspepsia. If you take aspirin or smoke, you may be at increased risk for developing dyspepsia. Your risk may also increase if you have symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Although infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) causes most peptic ulcers, infection with H. pylori may not increase your risk for developing symptoms of dyspepsia.¹

Your doctor may use tests such as an endoscopy or an upper gastrointestinal series to determine what may be causing your symptoms and to be sure the dyspepsia is not caused by peptic ulcer disease. See the Exams and Tests section of this topic for more information.

Treatment for mild and intermittent dyspepsia symptoms may include making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, reducing stress, and limiting consumption of coffee, caffeinated products, aspirin, and alcohol.